West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee on Thursday launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the Special Intensive Review (SIR) and said she would never allow the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the state.
The Chief Minister said this while addressing an anti-SIR rally in Murshidabad district.
“I will not allow NRC or detention camps in Bengal. Even if they cut my throat, they will not drive anyone out,” PTI quoted Banerjee as saying.
The Trinamool Congress chief also claimed that half of those who died in SIR-related incidents were Hindus.
“BJP is indulging in religious politics because of SIR. More than half of those who died in SIR-related incidents were Hindus. Don’t cut the branch you are sitting on,” she said.
On Wednesday, to ensure fair and accurate final electoral rolls, Banerjee urged the Election Commission to deploy central government employees as micro-observers to complete the SIR exercise in the state.
Mamata Banerjee on Waqf properties
During the anti-SIR rally, the CM also said that Waqf properties will be protected, adding that Bengal will remain a “safe and inclusive” state.
“Waqf properties will not be interfered with, I am responsible for the security of minorities.”
Banerjee alleged that for the past few days, some miscreants are spreading rumors that the state government has recorded religious places like mosques or graveyards under Collector Khatian No. 1. This is a lie,” she said.
Reacting to Banerjee’s remark, BJP MP Samik Bhattacharyya said that CM party leaders and ministers have acquired the most Waqf properties.
“In Kardea police station, two big multi-storied buildings have come up right in front of it. Posters with mutawalli’s name and high court notices have been pasted on the walls. Opposite the police station, the property has been demolished and such a big building has been built on top of it,” Bhattacharyya told PTI.
He added that if Mamata Banerjee wants to send a message, she should demolish these two buildings first, then they can talk.
Meanwhile, after the party suspended MLA Humayun Kabir over the “Masjid-style Babri Masjid” remark, Banerjee said Murshidabad is a historical place and its people do not indulge in riot politics.
“Trinamool Congress does not practice communal politics and is definitely against it,” Banerjee told the rally without naming Kabir.
“We cannot forget the history of Murshidabad. Siraj-ud-Daulah is worshiped in every house here. This district is the land of Nawabs. It has holy places of all religions,” the chief minister said.
